Chris Kirk takes indefinite leave from PGA TOUR
1 Min Read
NORTON, MA - AUGUST 31: Chris Kirk of the United States walks on the 16th green during the first round of the Dell Technologies Championship at TPC Boston on August 31, 2018 in Norton, Massachusetts. (Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images)
Chris Kirk announced on social media Tuesday he is taking “an indefinite leave” from the PGA TOUR to deal with issues of “alcohol abuse and depression.”
"It takes a great deal of courage to talk publicly about issues such as mental health and substance abuse, and the entire PGA TOUR family stands with Chris Kirk in taking this difficult first step toward his recovery and well-being," PGA TOUR Commissioner Jay Monahan said.
A four-time PGA TOUR winner who was instrumental in the U.S. Team’s narrow 2015 Presidents Cup victory in South Korea, Kirk had seen his form fall off lately. His best result in 17 starts this season is a T15 at the Arnold Palmer Invitational presented by Mastercard, and he was coming off four straight missed cuts when he made the announcement.
He tweeted:
“Tomorrow I will celebrate my 34th birthday but I have already begun a new and better chapter in my life. Thank you to my friends and family for being there for me.”
Under the tweet, the University of Georgia product announced that he will put golf on the back burner until he can be “the man my family deserves.” (He and his wife have three kids, ages 1, 5 and 7.)
Here is the statement:
“I have dealt with alcohol abuse and depression for some time now. I thought I could control it, but after multiple relapses I have come to realize that I can’t fix this on my own. I will be taking an indefinite leave from the PGA Tour to deal with these issues. I don’t know when I will be back, but for now I need my full focus on being the man my family deserves. Thank you for your support."